Brussels, 5 October 2017. The BMJ released this morning a new study titled “Availability of evidence on overall survival and quality of life benefits of cancer drugs approved by the European Medicines Agency: A retrospective cohort study of drug approvals from 2009-2013”. The study was presented at the European Health Forum Gastein 2017 during a session titled “Medicines: new game, new rules. Pathways for better and affordable medicines” organised by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) and Open Society Foundation (OSF) by authors Dr Courtney Davis and Dr Ajay Aggarwal.

Commenting on the findings of the study, EPHA Policy Manager for Universal Access and Affordable Medicines Yannis Natsis said:

“This study highlights the key question: Are we the public, via the European Medicines Agency asking drug manufacturers the right questions? It is therefore high time we had a critical look at the role of the regulator and the signals it is sending to the market. It is important to guarantee that the top European regulator serves the public interest and its work promotes real therapeutic advance for the benefit of all patients. Patients expect, deserve and demand evidence and information, not hype.”

On The BMJ

About the session